Characteristics and Potential of Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L.) Seed Oil from Kebumen, Central Java, as a Biodiesel Feedstock

Biodiesel is a fuel that is clean, biodegradable, non-toxic and has low emissions. These conditions provide benefits to the environment, where the use of biodiesel has the potential to reduce pollution levels. Calophyllum inophyllum L. or Nyamplung seed is one type of plant that has the potential to be processed into biodiesel. The potential non-edible feedstock for biodiesel is currently being considered carefully for the purpose of continuing biodiesel production while not having a negative impact on the food issue. In this study, the production of biodiesel from Nyamplung oil using electromagnetic-induction has been investigated. The crude Calophyllum inophyllum oil has a free fatty acid value which is above 2%. Therefore, a pre-treatment acid catalyzed esterification process is required to reduce the free fatty acid (FFA) content. It was found that Calophyllum inophyllum oil was at a ratio of 6:1 M (methanol to oil) with a fairly short heating at 65⁰C for 1.2 minutes in the presence of 2% KOH to obtain a lower acid value and the yield of methyl esters produced 40.31%. The results are shown that the improvement in biodiesel properties by using two stages of esterification method. The main characteristics of fuels such as viscosity, density, and FAME meet American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) biodiesel standards.